Annual Wellness Visit - Non-Medicare
HCA Midwest Physicians is pleased to comply with new reforms under the Affordable Care Act that are intended to give Americans additional access to healthcare. The Act's new benefits aim to assist in ways such as helping more children get health coverage, ending lifetime and most annual limits on care, and giving patients access to recommended preventive services.
According to HealthCare.gov, these reforms apply to all new health plans, and to many existing health plans as they are renewed. Many aspects and benefits of the law have already taken effect. More benefits for Americans are said to be on the way now through 2014.
Must you pay a copayment, coinsurance amount, or deductible?
Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your family may be eligible for some important preventive services that can help you avoid illness and improve your health at no additional cost to you. Learn more about how you might qualify for benefits at HealthCare.gov on the Preventive Care and Services pages. If you qualify, you may not be required to pay a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible to receive certain preventive health services such as recommended screenings, vaccinations, and disease counseling, blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests, cancer screenings (including mammograms and colonoscopies), flu and pneumonia shots, and regular well baby and well child visits from birth to age 21.
Learn more
Get to know the details about the Affordable Care Act at HealthCare.gov to determine if you qualify, And/or call your health insurance provider to understand how the Affordable Care Act impacts you.
Annual Wellness Visit - Medicare
Information for Medicare Beneficiaries
Our practice is pleased to provide you the following information that may improve your access to affordable healthcare if you are a Medicare beneficiary.
Annual Wellness Visits
With recent enhancements to government healthcare regulations, you and your family members may be eligible for preventive care services at no cost. Under the Affordable Care Act, if you have Original Medicare you may qualify for a yearly wellness exam and many preventive services for free or without deductible or copayment. The preventive services you may qualify for include:
- Bone mass measurement
- Cervical cancer screening, including Pap smear tests and pelvic exams
- Cholesterol and other cardiovascular screenings
- Colorectal cancer screening (except for barium enemas)
- Diabetes screening
- Flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B shots
- HIV screening for people at increased risk or who ask for the test
- Mammograms
- Medical nutrition therapy to help people manage diabetes or kidney disease
- Prostate cancer screening (except digital rectal examinations)
- Tobacco use cessation counseling
- Yearly wellness exams
Some important clarifications about Annual Wellness Visits for Medicare Beneficiaries
- For some preventive services, you may pay nothing. For some services you may be required to pay co-insurance (a part of the cost) for the office visit when you receive these services.
- Your first yearly wellness exam cannot take place within 12 months of your "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam.
- If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, check with your plan to see if these benefits will also apply to you.
Your Resources for more information about Annual Wellness Visits
More complete information can be found at HealthCare.gov, a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. You can also find additional information about Preventive Services.
You should also contact your plan administrators for the most complete information on how you may qualify for these benefits.
